Improvement in gas-retorts



1. c. TIFFANY.

Gas-Retorts.

Patented Dec. 2,718.73)

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Wizvesses.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH O. TIFFAEY, OF PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

IMPROVEMENT IN GAS-RETORTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 145,256, dated December2, 1873; application tiled November 14, 1873.

To all whom it may concern.' Be it known that I, JOSEPH C. TIFFANY, ofPortsmouth, in the county of Rockingham and .State of New Hampshire,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gas-Retorts, ofwhich the following is a specification:

The nature of this invention consists in the employment of platinum orits allied metalssuch as palladium, iridium, rhodium, asmium, andruthenium-as a material for lining or coating the interior or exteriorsurface of the retorts used in the manufacture of illuminating-gas, theobject of which is to furnish a retort which is rendered very durableand nonoxidizable, a smooth inner or outer surface being also presentedfor preventing th-e incrustation or adherence of carbon to the same 5and, in order to carry out my invention, I propose to apply a lining tothe retort, which covers either the entire or a portion of the .interioror exterior surface of the same; or the bottom of the retort may beconstructed of platinum, and be securely attached to the retortbody byriveting or otherwise; or the platinum bottom may be suspended or hungwithin the retortbody from projecting ledges or shoulders, so as toenable it to be readily removed 5 and, in certain instances, whencircumstances will permit it, I construct the entire retort of platinumor its allied metals. The invention also consists in locating within aretort a perforated rosehead or horizontal perforated tube, which isapplied to the pipe or siphon employed for feeding the oil, used as agas-generating medium to the retort, and the object of which is toobtain a perfect and even diffusion or distribution of the oil in ashower or spray, so as to cause it to come in contact equally with theheated surface of the retort.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of agas retort and furnace, showing the application to the body of theretort of a suspended platinum bottom and oil distributing or sprayingdevice. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of aretort provided with a bottomlining of platinum. Fig. 3 represents a retort possessing alining-jacket which covers the entire interior surface of the same. Fig.4 designates a solid retort made entirely of platinum. Fig. 5 is avertical sectional view of a retort provided with a detachable bottomsupported upon internal shoulders.

As heretofore constructed, retorts for generating illuminating-gas aremade of iron, or of an earthenware material, which, in a comparativelybrief time, are rendered useless by the action of the heat upon thebottom, which causes the same to be burned, cracked, fused, or otherwisedamaged; and, furthermore, the continuous dripping ofthe oil to beconverted into gas will also tend to abrade the bottom, and internallyweaken the same. A partial remedy for these defects is found vin theemployment of a detachable retort-bottom, such as is shown in the patentNo. 130,453, granted to me August, 13, 1872; but, as the materialsheretofore used for their construction are liable to fusion or breakage,considerable expense is entailed in constantly renewing the defectivebottoms.

In order to remedy these objections, and to furnish a retort which iscapable of withstanding the greatest degree of heat, I propose to use inthe construction of the same platinum or its allied metals, such aspalladium, rhodium,

osmium, ruthenium, and iridium, or alloys of either of the metalsstated. It is well known that platinum is so infusible that no considerable portion of it can b e melted b v the strong* est heat of a furnace;and, furthermore, it is unchangeable in the air and Water, nor does aWhite heat impair its polish. It is therefore proposed to take advantageof its infusibility, hardness, and smooth or lustrous surface in theconstruction of ieorts for generating illuminating-gas, moreparticularly from oils or liquid substances.

In Fig. l of the drawing is shown a retort for generating gas combinedwith a furnace and non-conducting exterior shell or casing, as in mypatent dated November 26, 1872, and No. 133,391. In this instance thebottom A, which is made of platinum, is wrought, hammered, or formedinto shape, and detachably applied to the retort-body B by suspending itfrom internal shoulders formed on the same. The retort-body is made ofany of the ordinary materials heretofore used, such as iron,fireclay,`and of any desired shape or form.

As shown in Fig. 2, the retort is made in a single piece or shell, andhas applied thereto an internal lining or jacket, C, which is secured tothe retort either by hammering, pressure, or by brazing; or, if foundmost preferable, it may be applied by the process of electro-deposition,and by either mode applied to the exterior as well as the interior. Thelining, in this instance, covers only as much of the bottom' and sidesof the retort as is exposed to the direct contact of the oil and heat;but, if found more desirable, the entire interior or exterior of theretort may be lined with platinum, as shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 4 represents a retort which is made entirely of platinum, wroughtor formed into shape, and of such a thickness as will resist the actionof the heat to which it is exposed.

In Fig. 5, the platinum bottom is made separate from the retort-body,and is connected to the same by means of a bottom-supporting ring, F, asshown in my patent No. 130,453.

A platinum lining or bottom for ret-Orts is indestructible by heat, and,as it isY also nonoXidizable, its smooth or lustrous surface is alwaysretained, thus preventing the formation of scales or the adherence ofcarbon thereto. The hardness of the bottom or lining of platinum willalso counteract the abrasion or disintegration thereof by the fallingstream of oil which is liable to ensue by a prolonged use of theordinary retorts; and,`When the eXterior surface is covered with alining or coating, the action of re on the iron will be prevented, andthe durability of the retort increased.

In order to distribute the oil equally, or in a regular shower over theheated retortsur face, I propose to suspend from the cover of the same,as shown in Fig. 1, a rose-head or perforated pipe, L, which is appliedto the end of an oilieed tube or siphon, M, which always contains asuiiicient quantity of liquid to form a seal. The oil, as it isdischarged from the many perforations in the rose-head or tube, isdisseminated or diffused in a shower or spray, and, by contact with thehighly-heated bottom of the retort, it is decomposed and converted intogas, which is carried away to the puriliers and washers, andsubsequently to the gasometer.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and` desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A retort for the generation of gas, made Wholly or in part ofplatinum or its allied metals, for withstanding the actionof heat andthe gas-generating agent.

2. A gas-retort provided with a lining or jacket ot' platinum or itsallied metals, Whether the lining covers the entire or only a portion ofthe interior or exterior surface ofthe retort, substantially as setforth.

3. A gas-retort provided with a bottom of platinum, made separate fromthe retort-body, and attached thereto by suitable means, substantiallyas herein set forth.

4. In combination with a retort for generating gas, one or moreperforated rose-heads or tubes, for diffusing the liquid in a spray orshower over the heated surface of the retort, as herein set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this7th day of November, 1873.

JOSEPH GAPRON TIFFANY.

Witnesses J AMES L. NoRRIs, A. H. NoRRIs.

